'Nothing credible' about threat to nurses

Winnipeg police say they have no credible intelligence or other information to suggest nurses are at risk from gang-initiation rituals.

Information that nurses in the Winnipeg health region — especially emergency room staff — are at risk of violence from wannabe gang members as part of a weekend initiation rite has been making the rounds on social media.

A Winnipeg Police Service spokesman said he'd consulted with superiors and that there was "nothing credible whatsoever" to the threat.

One officer was tasked by the duty office to dig deeper into the rumours strictly as a precaution, Const. Eric Hofley said.

A source whose relative works in a city emergency room said in a message Saturday that she was contacted about the threat prior to her shift Friday night.

"The hospital did respond by putting [in] escorts and extra security," the source said. Memos were also circulated at other hospitals, he added.

"(It) has everyone a little spooked but… security did do a good job escorting everyone last night," he said.

The Free Press has requested comment from the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and will update this story.

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